Chicago Street Festivals: July 2011

Here we will continue with this series of articles in which we include a month-by-month guide of what’s up at this summer’s street festivals. July is here! Its hot, summer is in full bloom, and its almost fourth of July! And even better? There are more festivals.

Taste of Chicago
When: June 24-July 3
Where: 100 E. Congress Parkway, Grant Park.
Price: Free
Basic Info: The big daddy of them all. Check out our full article on the Taste of Chicago here for detailed info. The quintessential Chicago 4th of July celebration.

Chicago Summer Dance Festival
When: July 7-September 18
Where: 601 S. Michigan Avenue, Grant Park.
Price: Free
Basic Info: Events all designed to get you to get up and dance! Each event includes an hour of professional dance instruction. Check out their website for more information.

Bastille Day Block Party
When: July 14
Where: 200 W. Fullerton, Cannon Drive and Fullerton, Lincoln Park.
Price: $5
Basic Info: Food and beer vendors and live music to celebrate this French Holiday. 5k run and walk before.

Old St. Pat’s Worlds Largest Block Party
When: July 15-16
Where:650 W. Madison, Madison and Des Plaines Avenue, West Loop.
Price: $40-45
Basic Info: I don’t know if it’s actually the world’s largest block party, but it does boast over 18,000 people in yearly attendance, and that is a lot. Admission includes five drink tickets. Food vendors and two stages of live music.

Irish American Heritage Festival
When: July 8-10
Where: 4626 N. Knox Avenue, North Park.
Price: $14
Basic Info: Lots of Irish music on five different stages. Food and drink vendors, kids activities, and other vendors and displays featuring Irish American heritage. There is also a mashed potato eating contest. Awesome.

Roscoe Village Burger Fest
When: July 9-10
Where: 2000 W. Belmont Avenue, Belmont and Damen. Roscoe Village.
Price: $5-7
Basic Info: Labeling itself a burger fest, this festival has a pretty big focus on live music as well. Two different stages feature live bands rotating every couple hours. Food vendors will cook up their best burger. Drink vendors and kids activities available.

West Fest
When: July 9-10
Where: 800 N. Damen Avenue, Little Village Ukrainian Village.
Price: $5 donation
Basic Info: Food and drink vendors, live music and DJs on two stages, and arts and crafts vendors, all with an emphasis on all things local. A Kids Fest and Pet Fest also on site on Chicago Avenue.

Tour de Fat
When: July 16
Where: 3100 W. Palmer Blvd, Logan Square
Price: Free
Basic Info: This event is put on by Colorado’s New Belgium Brewery, the makers of Fat Tire, Skinny Dip, and all those other delicious brews. New Belgium reps ride their bikes from Colorado to other cities to promote bike use and environmental awareness. There is also live music, a bike parade, advice on bike safety, and a car/bike swap. New Belgium beer and merchandise will be for sale.

Taste of River North
When: July 15-17
Where: 630 N. Kingsbury Street, River North.
Price: $5 donation
Basic Info: Local food and drink vendors, live music, and retail. Kids and pet activities. Also features the Jesse White Tumblers and ComedySportz improv group.

Milwaukee Avenue Summer Arts Festival
When: July 29-31
Where: 2300 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Milwaukee and California, Logan Square.
Price: $5
Basic Info: Local food and drink vendors, lots of arts and crafts, and live music. By lots of art, we mean a whole 1.5 miles of galleries featuring local art! The Logan Square Farmers Market will also be on site. Magic Hat brewing company will provide craft beers.

Randolph Street Market Festival
When: July 30-31
Where: 1350 W. Randolph, West Loop.
Price: $10, $5 for students.
Basic Info: This is a more serious festival, more for the buying crowd and less for the drinking, eating, and listening crowd. This indoor/outdoor market features antiques, indie designer apparel, fancy foods, and vintage collectibles.

About Tessa McLean

There is just something about that feeling when you have been away — maybe for a weekend, a month, 6 months — and you’re driving into Chicago and that first glimpse of the city skyline appears. It just always makes me smile.